Biography of William Blake (Paintings)

Blake's "Nebuchadnezzar"

     The London born William Blake had great potential starting early on in his life. The young boy enriched in Christian religion found himself seeing angels within he trees and began to share his enthusiasm in drawing in writing. By the age of ten, Blake was writing poems that he would often set to melodies and also showed his talent in artistry. Growing in talent and experience, Blake was accepted into the Park's drawing school and later when he turned fourteen, he was then placed in an apprenticeship that would last for up to seven years. He studied there to become an engraver, which became the most beneficial trade in his life.

     With his first publication, Poetical Sketches, paved the way for young Blake where growth and experience would enrich his work. After the passing of both his father and brother, his wife Catherine and Blake moved next to the families old shop where Blake built his own print shop. The next big break for Blake was both Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. These two pieces of work prove to be beneficial even in today’s society.

    William Blake being known well for his poetry placed engraving and paintings all throughout his poet works. His paintings all throughout the popular poetry of the Songs add new light to his written words. The poem, “The Little Black Boy” had some of Blake’s most pronounced abolitionist feelings intertwined not only found in that poem but all throughout. “Ancient of Days” is another example of Blake’s extraordinary gift in painting with watercolors. The painting to this day is still under debate for what Blake entirely wanted to symbolize with that specific painting. Another one of Blake’s most popular paintings was that appeared within the poem “Marriage of Heaven and Hell” was Nebuchadnezzar. The painting is meant to show the "mad king crawling like a hunted beast into a den among the rocks.”

     William Blake's entering his later life had many more illustrations than poetical works. The Book of Job and Dante were more illustrations in the Blake’s time. His poetical work included The Everlasting Gospel, a widely known poem.